Meet the Teacher was always SO busy, and I try to talk with each family, and everyone wants to ask me questions, and it just always seemed a little chaotic. UNTIL... I began doing stations for Meet the Teacher. My world (well, that day) completely changed! I started doing this a couple of years ago, and it works so well. It went so smoothly, and everyone had something to do while waiting to talk with me.
Here is how I do it...
I have 5-6 stations set up. I created signs for each station, and put them in black 8X10 frames that I bought from $1 tree. When you first walk in, I have a Welcome sign with a sign in sheet for them to write the child's name and parents. Each sign has a number, so they know where to go next.
This helped so much because no one was just standing around or getting frustrated waiting to talk to me.
Station 1: Pick up your student's packet and return on the 1st day of school. In large envelopes, I put a packet which includes Student Information page, Getting to Know You, My About Me page, About the Student (for them to fill out), and a welcome letter to let them know all of the basics of our routines in Kindergarten (such as, our schedule, lunch, etc).
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Sunshine-And-Rainbows-In-Teaching
These help so much in getting to know them a little bit at the beginning of school. It also helps them learn more about me.
I have everyone's names on their envelope so it's easy to grab.
Station 2: Write your name, the child's name, and address on the envelope and place it in the basket.
I have regular envelopes on the table, and then we can send them mail later in the year, or I can send a positive note after school starts.
Station 3: I use Bloomz app for any announcements, classroom updates, weekly "What are we learning" posts, and lots of pictures of what we are doing. I absolutely LOVE it, and the parents do, too. They can message me from the app, and they can even message other parents if you turn that feature on. I have a form that I ask them to fill out that night, so I can add them all in to our classroom page. The form is a permission slip to allow photos to be posted of their child, and they can write their best email address for the invite to the app to join. It also tells them how to join the page.
Station 4: Transportation: How will your child get home the 1st day of school?
I have a sheet on the table so they can check off carpool or aftercare program. This is so helpful instead of scrambling that day making sure they are where they are needed to be. We don't use a bus, so those are our only options. If someone else is picking them up, they let me know, also.
Station 5: Get your treat and give me a hug before you go!
My FAVORITE station!! I love making them little fun treats. This year I have bubbles and Fun Dip. I printed a label for each and signed my name on them. I am in love with the bubbles- MAGIC bubbles!!! Blow these bubbles before the 1st day for a magical year! YES!! I might blow them every day! Teaching the littles is SO fun because you can blow them, and magically everyone has a smile! These gift tags are also available on TPT if you are interested!
This year I will also give a QR code with these. When they open it up, it will be me reading Kindergarten, Here I Come or The Night Before Kindergarten. Stay tuned and I will post how I did it soon!! Let me know if you have any questions on how to set up your stations.
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